In 2001 Sam Rhodes was in Year 1 at Buckland Milber Junior School when one of Newton Abbot Fire Station's engines turned up at the school fete.

As you can see by the cheeky grin on his face, Sam couldn't believe his luck when he was allowed to climb up into the fire engine and sit in the cab.

Seconds later that smile disappeared when the firefighters suddenly were mobilised to an emergency incident leaving a lot of disappointed children behind.

But that day Sam made a decision. It was the beginning of Sam's lifelong dream to join Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue and two years ago he finally realised his lifelong ambition to become a firefighter.

Now the fire service has dug out the old photo for a recruitment drive and posted it in this image with Sam, now 22, back in the same pose with the same equally chuffed expression on his face.

And Sam added: "Work hard kids, chase your dreams. Thank you mum for making me the person I am today."

The fire station added: "Dreams do come true! We have found a picture of Sam, one of our newer firefighters taken in 2001 and have re-created it this week.

"Sam was in year 1 at Buckland Milber Junior School and one of our fire engines was at the school fete. The young Sam was only 5 years old!

"Eighteen years on Sam explained that he was disappointed that day, as just after the picture was taken he had to get out quickly as they were mobilised to an incident. Well done Sam, great sport for letting us use the photo!"

Fancy being a firefighter? Click here for the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service recruitment page.